Submitted by
HR_XC
a Weekend Warrior
from Gainesville, Va, USA Date Reviewed: October 26, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Walnut Creek
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Grip on wet surfaces, sidewall strength, easy of install
Weaknesses:
None yet
Similar Products Used:
Kenda's that came on the bike
Bike Setup:
Giant Boulder SE Prowler XT on the back and MAXXIS Highroller up front
Bottom Line:
Got a set off Ebay for cheap. For what I use them for, they are the greatest investment I have on my bike so far. People complain because they expect something more that I am sure the very expensive tires can provide. I expect a tire that will grip on wet leaves/roots/random rocks/and wet up hills without breaking the bank and that is exactly what this tire is. Granted I have only ridden it for less than 50miles, but the tread is still good to go and I am more confident in my riding. This is a great beginner tire and I am happy with my purchase!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
CraptacularOne
a Cross Country Rider
from Hollywood FL Date Reviewed: June 24, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Washing Machine
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
Bikes & Boards
Strengths:
Excellent climbing traction, low rolling resistance, and sheds mud very well.
Weaknesses:
Haven't found any yet.
Similar Products Used:
Kenda Nevegal, Panaracer Fire XC Pro, WTB Velociraptor
Bike Setup:
08 Felt Redemption 3, Marzocchi 55 ATA, Avid Juicy 7's, Shimano XT shifters, Fizik Gobi XM saddle, eggbeater C pedals.
Bottom Line:
I have this as my rear tire and at long last my search for a rear tire is over. This will be my rear tire until they come out with something better. The climbing traction is unbelievable and the rolling resistance is far better than any other tire with this kind of traction for climbs. You can feel this thing grabbing the terrain as you pedal up an incline. No spinning, no slipping, just unrelenting traction to keep you moving where you're pointed. If your trail require you to climb, you need to try this tire as your rear.
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Submitted by
ICPAYDIRT
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego Date Reviewed: June 24, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Noble Canyon
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$5.00
Purchased At:
raffle
Strengths:
Very grippy climber, fast rolling, good cornering, reliable, high volume.
Weaknesses:
Soft rubber performs very well but wears out faster.
Similar Products Used:
Kenda Nevegal, Maxxis High Roller, WTB Dissent
Bike Setup:
SC Nomad, Fox 36, DHX Ti Coil
Bottom Line:
I've only used it as a rear tire and it has performed superb. I think the first thing I would say is to expect the grippy rubber and tread pattern to perform excellent on technical climbs. Dispite being made with a softer durameter, the tire still rolls very fast on the downhills and flats. Corners well, brakes well, pretty much does everything well. High volume tire so it can handle the pointy sharp stuff better. I'm a 210 lb aggressive trail/all mountain rider so its not easy to get good durability in a single ply tire. I can say that after about 8 months of experience with these tires I've had very few pinch flats when I run 40 psi or better. Sure I would like to run lower pressure but this tire lets you get away with more pressure due to the stickiness of the rubber. The only knock on this tire is that it will begin to break down after about 3 or 4 months of hard riding so plan on buying an extra tire than you might otherwise over the course of a year or so. In my opinion, I would rather buy the extra tire and enjoy solid performance year round.
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Submitted by
skibum1
a Cross Country Rider
from NJ Date Reviewed: June 22, 2009
Favorite Trail:
all
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
online somewhere
Strengths:
Beefy all conditions tire
Weaknesses:
Little heavy
Similar Products Used:
WTB Weirwolf
Bike Setup:
Titanium beauty
Bottom Line:
This is probably the best rear tire to own. I went back to this tire after experimenting with others (WTB Weirwolf & LT, Nevegals, Panaracers). I run this tire reverse tread. It bites into the dirt, never slip when climbing. Its a beast. Almost a downhill tire but I am x country rider. I will always use this tire on the rear. I've used it on the front but dont like it, little too knobby. I've also yet to pinch flat.
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Submitted by
BlueEyeMountain.com
a Weekend Warrior
from MA Date Reviewed: November 8, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Lynn Woods
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$41.00
Purchased At:
REI
Strengths:
Durable sidewalls, light for its size, high volume
Weaknesses:
Extremely short tread-life (lasts about a month), poor traction, poor braking, skids too easily, pinch flats at low PSI
Seemed like an exceptable tire at first, but it never really impressed me. My main gripe is that the center knobs are nearly gone after only 4 months of riding about once a week mainly on trails that do not have a lot of bedrock outcrops.
Part of the reason I think the tread is so worn is because this tire easily locks up when braking. The skids are usually quite controlled, which is nice, but the skidding is not intentional and the knobs are getting quickly eaten away. The skidding potential also causes me to be more conservative on long, steep rock faces because I know the rear tire will skid if I do not use a lot of front brake.
The tire also easily pinch flats if inflated under 35 PSI. At 30 PSI, the traction was pretty good, but I got tired of changing a tube every ride so I increased the pressure to 35 PSI. Now the traction is average to worse than average.
The only positive I can say about this tire is that the sidewalls have held up quite well even though I know I have caught them on sharp rocks. The casing is 60 TPI so the sideall durability is somewhat expected though. The tire is designed for loose conditions so perhaps I would be happier with it if I never rode on rocks or hardpack. It never seemed to impress me on loose terrain though.
This tire looks cool, which is why I bought it, but there are a lot better performing, longer-lasting, and cheaper tires out there.
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Submitted by
crux
a Weekend Warrior
from ABQ New Mexico Date Reviewed: October 1, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Worked well when new.
Weaknesses:
Tire quickly tears itself apart on with normal trail usage. Noticed that the tread separates from the core without warning. Potentially leaving the rider stranded on backcountry epics
Similar Products Used:
Quite a few tires over the past several years
Bottom Line:
If you are looking for a weekend relationship with a tire then this might be the one for you. However if you need something that you can rely on then please look elsewhere.
When contacting WTB about this they were of no help, effectively suggesting that I could go buy a new tire. What ever happened to CS?
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Submitted by
Angel Dust
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore Date Reviewed: August 31, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
CRC
Strengths:
Rolls fast, rolls fast, rolls fast!
Weaknesses:
Tends to get pretty sketchy in wet, loose conditions.
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer Fire AM Pro, Panaracer Fire FR Pro, Intense 909, WTB MotoRaptors, WTB Timberwolf
Bike Setup:
Specialized SX Trail Two
Bottom Line:
Ran a pair of these front and rear. The 2.3 tyres weigh 860gms but once you put them on, you'll be amazed at how fast they roll. Corners pretty well too. Plus, you don't need tyre levers to mount/ remove these tyres. Excellent in the dry but not so confidence inspiring in wet and loose conditions because of the low/ lack of centre knobs.
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Submitted by
Blacknall
a Downhiller
from Caswell County, NC, USA Date Reviewed: August 26, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Greens Lick (Bent Creek, NC)
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
The Prowler XT works well for me as a front tire, paired with a Prowler SS on the rear. The XT has a great tread design that has great bite in the turn. With wider spaced center tread you can really make sharp, tight turns. I found that it works well in hard pack conditions but also suck when this got wet. Is not the best in mud but no worst than what I was running before, stock tires.
Weaknesses:
I haven't found a real weakness witht he tire. If anything it may wear a little more than had expected.
Similar Products Used:
No other similar tires used, I have used several WTB saddles, they are strong.
Bike Setup:
All mountain setup, I ride cross contry to downhill, throw in a couple big hit dropers along the way.
Bottom Line:
A good tire, made me feel more confident, feel stuck to the trail tighter. It can go front to rear, I'd use it on the front with me SS on the rear, or on the rear with the MX up front.
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Submitted by
Pslide
a Downhiller
from Cannock Chase, UK Date Reviewed: June 17, 2008
Favorite Trail:
19th Hole, Squampton
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Strengths:
Huge volume, good in dry, loose, rocky conditions.
Weaknesses:
Heavy for a single ply 2.3, not so good in wet conditions.
Similar Products Used:
WTB Weirwolf, V-raptor, Timberwolf; Maxxis Swamp Thing; Conti Vert Pro, Vapor, Mich 32, 14, 16, etc.
Bike Setup:
Balfa 2-step FR, all mountain set up.
Bottom Line:
Was hoping for more out of this tire. Block size is a bit small, and the compound is quite soft. Haven't really put it to the test on hardpack, but they are not giving me the same amount of grip as my Timberowlf in wet, soft conditions. Just not getting enough grip out of those small, shallow blocks. Took them to CwmCarn (semi-rocky) on a dry day and they were great, but already showing wear after just a few rides. At 920g, they are heavier than advertised. Volume is huge though, and the ride is comfy. Traction is fine, but again, when wet or muddy, they clog FAST. I reckon this is a rear tire for dry, loose conditions of the western states, mated with a Weirwolf in the front. But can't really rate it for UK conditions. I think WTB needs to sort out their compounding for the new China production...
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Submitted by
Chad
a Cross Country Rider
from Las Vegas Date Reviewed: November 2, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
Mountain High Cyclery
Strengths:
Rolls fast; pretty grippy for such a low profile tread pattern; stiff sidewall gives a nice supple ride.
Weaknesses:
Soft compound wears fast on rocky trails
Similar Products Used:
Kenda Kinetics; Kenda Nevegal, Schwalbe Big Betty
Bike Setup:
6x6
Bottom Line:
I like this tire, but was disappointed at how quickly it began to wear. I replaced the rear with the front within a month but then moved to a different type of trail surface (CO - hard, packed sandstone to LV with loose, rocky and sandy trails). The tire performed better on these types of surfaces and wore more slowly. I've since had to replace the rear (with a Kenda Nevegal - yuck!) but will buy another set of Prowlers soon. They work well in this area. Honestly, I liked them in CO, too, and even though they wore fast, they were economical enough to replace often.
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Submitted by
Cheno
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, Texas Date Reviewed: November 1, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Bottom Line:
Good, but not the greatest traction in steep, loose, dry, rocky climbs. This tire spins much more often than the Nevegal. Flat, high-speed, and descents are all fine, but I'll go back to the Kendas on the rear. FYI the WTB Stout is a great front tire, better than the Blue Groove in my opinion. It looks like it would make a good rear tire as well, but I haven't tried that yet.
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Submitted by
KG
a
from Corvallis Date Reviewed: October 24, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
fullcycles.com
Strengths:
traction in dry
Weaknesses:
traction in wet, weight
Similar Products Used:
Too many! This summer - WTB motoraptor 2.4, 2.24, 2.14, mutanoraptor 2.4 & 2.24 and IRC trailbear 2.25
Bike Setup:
mostly had the prowler on the front of a 6X6 all mountain machine
Bottom Line:
During the summer I was really stoked on this tire. It had loads of predictable traction everywhere - didnt matter if it was damp, dry, loose, pack, loose over hard, sand, wood, rocks, roots or gravel. Unfortunately as soon as the rains came and the trails got wet this tire turned. On wet trails its one of the if not the worst tire I've ever ridden (in the front). Just thinking about leaning it over and it slides out from underneath you. I see on the new WTB site that they recommend running something else in the front in wet conditions so my chili rating is based on use as a dry weather tire.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
smokeater
a Cross Country Rider
from atlanta, ga Date Reviewed: July 25, 2007
Favorite Trail:
chicopee
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$42.00
Purchased At:
rei
Strengths:
grips like a women to a credit card, very sure footed, roll fast, did I say corners very well.
Weaknesses:
Maybe could be alittle lighter , but its makes up for it with how it rides.
Similar Products Used:
WTB weirwolfs 2.3, Ignitors 2.35
Bike Setup:
Prophet all mountain, pretty much go anywhere riding but I still race with it,
Bottom Line:
This tire really has impressed me , I ride my best with this tire. I tried Weirwolfs and Ignitors because they are lighter, and I thought I would benefit from that. But these Prowler XT's provide much more confidence, They roll much faster and smoothly, cornering capability is really outstanding. The next reason is they climb like a billy goat, they really bite into anything on the trail even wet roots give barely a notice. I have also hit significant mud and they shed it quickly and provide control. This really is my favorite tire , it does everthing very good. I think WTB has a winner in this tire , the only improvement I would like to see is more sizes. I think if they made this same tire in a 2.1 it would still smoke 98% of the 2.3's out there and be significantly lighter. Well to sum it up it may be 860g, but you will not feel it, from my back to back test, these provide far less fatigue with better traction and stability.
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Submitted by
jgusta
a Weekend Warrior
from PDX, OR Date Reviewed: July 13, 2007
Favorite Trail:
anything fast, rooty, and rocky
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$32.00
Purchased At:
Universal
Strengths:
Great rear traction, true to size, fast roller
Weaknesses:
soft rubber, 50a for rear tire
Similar Products Used:
Most all of them
Bike Setup:
06 Turner RFX 6X6 with 2.5 Prowler MX front and 2.3 XT rear.
Bottom Line:
A great alternative to the over-hyped, over-priced, somewhat slow roller, grip losing Kenda Nevegal.
The XT Prowler has great traction in the dry, loose stuff, doesn't want to lose grip like most other tires do when climbing steep loose terrain. Possibly excels in all terrain, will have to see how it does in the wet, mucky stuff though.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim Graham
a Weekend Warrior
from Olympia Date Reviewed: May 16, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Any CapitolForest.Com
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$34.00
Purchased At:
universalcycles.com
Strengths:
Rolls fast, hooks up on edge in corners, good in the loose stuff, excellent braking traction.....haven't run in mud yet....
Weaknesses:
?none
Similar Products Used:
Many, from everyone
Bike Setup:
All mountain, climb up, rip down, 6"-ish travel
Bottom Line:
Haven't ridden a tire I like more for all around semi heavy duty-ish use, but not to heavy type of do-it-all tire
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
scott
a Cross Country Rider
from NJ Date Reviewed: January 10, 2007
Favorite Trail:
all
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
similar to the weirwolf
Weaknesses:
not sure if any
Similar Products Used:
weirwolf
Bike Setup:
blur
Bottom Line:
This could be the tire of the year for '07. Demo'd it recently. Very similar to the weirwolf but the treads are spaced out just enough to shed mud, one of weirwolfs pitfalls which arent many.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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